2005 Saab 9-5: complaints, problems and recalls
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
11 owner complaints analyzed
2 distinct recall campaigns
95,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2005 model year. Data snapshot: . 11 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Air Bags is the most frequently named component, appearing in 2 of 11 complaints (18.2%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Engine operation | 2 | 18.2% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 2 | 18.2% |
| Transmission and shifting | 1 | 9.1% |
| Braking behavior | 1 | 9.1% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Air Bags | 2 |
| Exterior Lighting | 2 |
| Electrical System | 1 |
| Electrical System:Ignition:Module | 1 |
| Engine | 1 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling | 1 |
| Equipment | 1 |
| Equipment:Electrical:Radio/Tape Deck/Cd Etc. | 1 |
Air Bags: 2; Exterior Lighting: 2; Electrical System: 1; Electrical System:Ignition:Module: 1; Engine: 1; Engine And Engine Cooling: 1; Equipment: 1; Equipment:Electrical:Radio/Tape Deck/Cd Etc.: 1
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 1 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 3 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 1 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 1 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 4 |
| 150,000 and above | 1 |
Under 25,000: 1; 25,000 to 49,999: 3; 50,000 to 74,999: 1; 75,000 to 99,999: 1; 100,000 to 149,999: 4; 150,000 and above: 1
100,000 to 149,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (4). 0 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2009 | 1 |
| 2010 | 2 |
| 2011 | 3 |
| 2012 | 5 |
2009: 1; 2010: 2; 2011: 3; 2012: 5
Pattern summary
Air Bags leads the component reports. Engine operation appears in 2 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues appears in 2 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting appears in 1 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Examples from the source records
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10291306 · 2009-11-07 (November 7, 2009)
THE FACTORY FLOOR MAT SLIPPED FORWARD AND WAS WEDGED TO THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL SO THAT THE PEDAL STUCK AT ALMOST FULL THROTTLE. AVOIDED A COLLISION BY SHIFTING INTO NEUTRAL, STOPPING, AND REALIZING THE MAT WAS JAMMED INTO THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL. I EXTRICATED THE MAT FROM THE PEDAL AND RESTORED THE FUNCTION TO NORMAL. THE CAR HAS RESTRAINING PINS DESIGNED TO HOLD THE MAT IN PLACE BUT THE DESIGN IS FLAWED, ESPECIALLY IF THE MAT CURLS IN THAT AREA. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 52,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10291306 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10343815 · 2010-07-18 (July 18, 2010)
MY 2005 SAAB 9-5 ARC RIGHT FRONT COIL SPRING BROKE WHILE MY WIFE WAS DRIVING THE VEHICLE CAUSING EXTENSIVE TIRE DAMAGE. THE VEHICLE IS BEING REPAIRED REQUIRING THE REPLACEMENT OF BOTH COIL SPRINGS ALONG WITH THE CV BOOT. THE TOTAL COST FOR REPAIRS IS APPROXIMATELY $1200.00 ALONG WITH THE ABOVE REPAIRS THE TIRE WAS ALSO REPLACED AT A COST OF $100.00. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 34,104 miles reported. Look up ODI 10343815 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10361142 · 2010-10-19 (October 19, 2010)
NOTICED ABNORMAL / EARLY REAR TIRE WEAR. NOTICED ABNORMAL (OUT OF MANUFACTURERS SPEC.) REAR CAMBER. NOTICED REAR SUSPENSION BOTTOM OUT WITH MODERATE LOADS (APPROX 1/2 OF MAX LOAD). OEM REAR TIRES CUPPED AND REQUIRED REPLACEMENT PREMATURELY DUE TO ABNORMAL REAR CAMBER. NEW TIRES INSTALLED. REAR AFTERMARKET CAMBER SHIMS INSTALLED. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 45,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10361142 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10403888 · 2011-05-31 (May 31, 2011)
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 9-5 SAAB. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE MAKING A TURN SHE CRASHED INTO A PARKED VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS DID DEPLOY AFTER THE CRASH OCCURRED AND THE DRIVER RECEIVED INJURIES TO HER FACE AND MOUTH. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. SHE WAS NOT TRANSPORTED TO THE HOSPITAL. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO ADVISED HER THAT THE WAY THE SHE CRASHED INTO THE VEHICLE, THE AIR BAGS WOULD NOT DEPLOY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 46,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. UPDATED 07/18/1…
Owner-reported narrative. 46,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10403888 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10419580 · 2011-08-15 (August 15, 2011)
BECAUSE OF IMPROPER DESIGN, REAR WIRE HARNESS FOR REVERSE LIGHTS ARE BEING SEVERED CAUSING THE REVERSING LIGHTS NOT TO WORK. THIS SAME DESIGN FLAW CAN BE ATTRIBUTED TO THE FAILURE OF BRAKE LIGHTS AND ELECTRONIC TRUNK RELEASE/LOCK. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 137,800 miles reported. Look up ODI 10419580 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10424440 · 2011-09-09 (September 9, 2011)
THE IGNITION CASSETTE CRACKS CAUSING IGNITION PROBLEMS, STALLING, ACCELERATION PROBLEMS. IT MAKES IT UNPREDICTABLE. THIS IS THE SAME PROBLEM AS THE PREVIOUS RECALL PASTED BELOW. WHY DOES IT NOT COVER THESE OTHER MODEL YEARS? NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 06V410000 WWW.NHTSA.DOT.GOV MANUFACTURER SAAB CARS USA, INC. RECALL DATE: OCT 23, 2006 POTENTIAL NUMBER OF UNITS AFFECTED: 5078 DESCRIPTION ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:MODULE SUMMARY CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH B308 6-CYLINDER GASOLINE ENGINES MAY EXPERIENCE OVERHEA…
Owner-reported narrative. 95,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10424440 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10452822 · 2012-03-23 (March 23, 2012)
THE IGNITION CASSETTE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 113,951 miles reported. Look up ODI 10452822 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10458300 · 2012-05-14 (May 14, 2012)
RUNNING LIGHTS WILL NOT TURN OFF, EVEN AFTER THE CAR IS STOPPED AND THE KEY IS OUT OF THE IGNITION, CAUSING THE BATTERY TO RUN DOWN. *JS
Owner-reported narrative. 154,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10458300 at NHTSA ↗
Recall history
2 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
07V087000 · Fuel System, Gasoline:Delivery:Hoses, Lines/Piping, And Fittings
Reported: 2007-03-07 (March 7, 2007)
ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, THE FUEL PUMP RETAINING TABS HOLDING THE FUEL LINES WERE DAMAGED DURING PRODUCTION.
Consequence: OVER TIME, THIS COULD CAUSE THE FUEL LINES TO LOOSEN FROM THE PUMP RESULTING IN FUEL LEAKAGE. IF AN IGNITION SOURCE WERE PRESENT, THE FUEL MAY IGNITE RESULTING IN A VEHICLE FIRE.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL DEVELOP A SECURING BRACKET THAT WILL SECURE THE FUEL LINES TO THE FUEL PUMP EVEN IF THE PLASTIC RETAINING TABS SHOULD BREAK. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JUNE 13, 2007. THIS IS AN EXPANSION OF PREVIOUS RECALL CAMPAIGNS - SEE 04V557 AND 06V126. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SAAB AT 1-800-955-9007.
NHTSA campaign record ↗08V160000 · Seats:Front Assembly:Head Restraint
Reported: 2008-04-09 (April 9, 2008)
SAAB IS RECALLING 57,389 MY 2002-2008 9-5 SERIES VEHICLES FOR FAILING TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 201, "OCCUPANT PROTECTION IN INTERIOR IMPACT." DURING COMPLIANCE TESTING, ONE OF THE UPPER INTERIOR OCCUPANT PROTECTION TEST POINTS EXCEEDED THE STANDARD'S REQUIREMENTS.
Consequence: IN THE EVENT OF A VEHICLE CRASH, PERSONAL INJURY TO OCCUPANTS MAY OCCUR.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A-PILLAR TRIM WITH IMPROVED ENERGY-ABSORBING CAPABILITY FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON NOVEMBER 25, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SAAB AT 1-800-955-9007.
NHTSA campaign record ↗